The will to win (2 photos) Bashny.Net

July 24, 1908 from Windsor Palace Stadium "White City" started 56 runners from sixteen countries, who went the distance of the Olympic marathon. Among them was a little-known pastry chef from Italy named Dorando Pietro. Victory predicted apparent favorite of Charles Jefferson from South Africa. He really led almost the entire distance. After 35 kilometers race he overtook the main group by as much as forty minutes.



However, on that day in London was very hot and the race leader could not resist stress - fell exhausted. Jefferson then got up and tried to continue running, but at the 41-kilometer caught his Italian confectioner, which added greatly to the speed of learning that can not withstand voltage South African race. Pietri beat the favorite, but it was worth it expensive - the gates of the stadium, he came staggering from fatigue and poor understanding what was happening to him. He did not even realize at first which way to run it and only with the help of judges able to determine the right direction.

Seventy meters from the finish Pietro fell, got up, started running again. He was only fifteen meters to the finish line, when the stadium ran American Johnny Hayes. The stands roared, welcoming American athlete. Pietro could not stand such a noise and fell again. There have already run up to him by two people - the judge and journalist who became a runner trying to bring to life. They put Pietro feet and literally drove him to the finish line. Pietro claimed the stadium on a stretcher.

It's sad but heroic runner did not become an Olympic champion - the jury disqualified him for the fact that he used the help of others. Gold Cup and the title was John Hayes, ran second. However, the hero of the Olympics, entered the history of sports, became not he, but a small Italian confectioner Dorando Pietro - for their courage, persistence and a surprising firmness of purpose. British Queen Alexandra ordered to make for Pietro exactly the same cup of the winner (only silver) and hand it to the Italians. Thanks to the press, he became a worldwide celebrity - photos and filming captured his dramatic "crusade path" to victory. By the way, a few months Pietro won Hayes during specially organized race at Madison Square Garden in New York.